civil embargo

A civil embargo is a government's prohibition on the movement of ships registered under its own authority. This is distinct from a hostile embargo, which involves detaining foreign vessels. Embargoes are legal restrictions on the movement of goods or vessels to or from specific countries, enacted by governments or international bodies.12

They can be broad, banning all commerce, or narrow, targeting specific items like military goods or oil. Embargoes serve as tools of economic warfare, used to demonstrate resolve, retaliate, compel behavioral change, or weaken a target country's military capabilities. While generally aimed at political or military leaders, embargoes can disproportionately affect the general population of the targeted country, raising ethical concerns.2